Any K Series?

Hi,

[Reposted this here as apparently not a lot of people frequent the Freelander Engine board]

This is my first post and hope someone can clear up something for me...

I have recently bought a Freelander 1.8 Petrol and the engine is shot. Instead of going to the length of rebuilding the engine I just want to replace it with a good one.

Is it possible to drop in any non-VVC 1.8 'K' series engine into the car? Providing it is the distributor type, although the cams can be changed from my old engine to overcome this if it is a Dis Pack engine?

*I have been told from one source that it isn't and that only one type of engine fits (From the Rover 75 or from another Freelander) but I doubt that this is true?

Thanks in advance!

The engines are the same, it's just the ancillaries that differ but you can swap these over from your current engine.

:frusty:

I've looking into the very same thing, and started a thread about it, can I ask a question what's up with your current engine?

I know you've said you don't want to go down the rebuild line but changing the engine isn't always the best option, what if the second one goes belly up?

Cost wise which is better for you?

The Mad Hat Man said:

:frusty:

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Cheers for the warm, friendly welcome.

Anguslives! said:

I've looking into the very same thing, and started a thread about it, can I ask a question what's up with your current engine?

I know you've said you don't want to go down the rebuild line but changing the engine isn't always the best option, what if the second one goes belly up?

Cost wise which is better for you?

Click to expand...

I am guessing the rings have gone. Chucks out loads of blue smoke on startup and when it gets up to temp it cuts out and has no compression (so think it could also be a cracked block, liner, etc) and won't start again until it has cooled down.

Obviously I won't know for definite until I strip it. I think a new engine would work out much cheaper (as long as it was a good one).

Ross_wrx said:

I am guessing the rings have gone. Chucks out loads of blue smoke on startup and when it gets up to temp it cuts out and has no compression (so think it could also be a cracked block, liner, etc) and won't start again until it has cooled down.

Obviously I won't know for definite until I strip it. I think a new engine would work out much cheaper (as long as it was a good one).

Click to expand...

I know what your saying.... Most would do the same as would I once upon a time but having owned a few K-Series swapping one over for another can just give you other problems to sort, has the new engine got low miles, upgraded parts? I know if you've got Liner issues your thoughts would turn to the VVC as it's got better parts than a stanard K, but to be honest replacing the liners is one simple job, it's just getting all the bits off takes the time.

Cost wise it's nothing compaired to buying another engine. I would guess if the liners have gone you'd need to make a choice on saving or replace all depends on if it's overheaten badly. Liners don't normal just go, my guess look at the head before the bottom end, if the heads cracked a replacement is around £250.00 mark, or if your lucky it might just need a skim (around £100) then all you would need to get MLS gasket, New head- bolts & Oil Rail.

Either way it's going to cost money, only thing that can be taken away from this is: if you spend some cash putting it right that's the work done. you can buy a VVC or K and drop that in, but if it's not got the MLS etc it's just a matter of time until your putting your hand back in your pocket.

Can you tell us if it's overheated in the past, what was it like when you bought it?

I bought it like it as got it nice and cheap So no real way at the minute of telling if it had been ran overheated for a prolonged period.

I might just whip the head off and see if there is anything there as it's not a long job. Just a bit of a rubbish position on the Freelander as it is deep in the engine bay.

Yep but it's bloody easier than working on a MGF!!

Get the head off and have a look, If the head is soft you'd see rings on the underside of it and it would need to be tested but a shop will tell you if it's worth skimming or replacing. Also once the heads off you can then see if the liners have dropped, if they have thats a sign thats it's overheaten badly but more inspection would be needed before saying it can be repaired or replaced.

Price would suggest it's had issues but nothing to panic about just yet, you could add £££££ back on by doing the work!!!